Asia Minor. Caria, Oinoanda.
Didrachm, c. 200 BC. (Silver, 8.26g., 22mm). Laureate head of Zeus to right; behind, Α and lotos-tipped scepter / ΟΙ-ΝΟ/ΑΝ Eagle with closed wings standing right on winged thunderbolt. Ashton, Oinoanda, 2a (A2/P1, this coin).

The major thing known about the ancient city of Oinoanda (also known as Termessos Minor) is that it was the home of the Epicurean philosopher Diogenes, who lived during Hadrianic times. As a gift to his native city he built a stoa that contained statues and an enormous inscription (originally about 80 meters long and containing some 25’000 words) explaining and discoursing on Epicurean philosophy. This is, in fact, the longest known ancient inscription, with more fragments being found in every excavation season: in one preserved section we read one of Diogenes’ reasons for setting it up: Not least for those who are called foreigners, for they are not foreigners. For, while the various segments of the Earth give different people a different country, the whole compass of this world gives all people a single country, the entire Earth, and a single home, the world. (E. A. Powell, In Search of a PhilosopherNs Stone, Archaeology, July/August 2015). Those words are very possibly truer today than they were when they were cut in stone.

Grading/Status: A very rare, well-struck and well-centered coin of very good style. Tiny hairline crack, otherwise, extremely fine.

Notes
Provenance:
Nomos Fixed Price List Winter-Spring 2008, 59.
Gorny & Mosch 117, 14 October 2002, 303.